Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
Industry: Water Treatment/Heavy Civil
Location: Westfield, MA
Start Date: June 12, 2024
Projected Completion Date: December 11, 2025
To ensure long-term reliability at its West Parish Filters Treatment Plant, the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is partnering with Northern Construction on major infrastructure rehabilitation.
The project includes two primary components, carried out in tandem:
- The first focuses on the repair and rehabilitation of a 42-inch diameter raw water transmission main, spanning 9,500 feet of steep, rocky terrain, to reinstate the secondary water supply to the plant.
- The second involves the construction of new flow control infrastructure to support high-capacity system performance.
The Scope of Our Work
By The Numbers:
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- Pipeline length: 9,500 linear feet
- Concrete volume: 1,200 cubic yards
1. Pipeline Repair and Replacement
Crews are removing and replacing approximately 500 linear feet of 42-inch prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) and fittings across 30 locations, with internal repairs underway along the remainder of the 9,500-foot transmission pipeline.
Steep slopes (up to 20%) and a 300-foot elevation change, combined with rocky terrain and limited access, make each repair zone uniquely challenging. Internal work requires confined space entry and careful airflow management between access points spaced up to 600 feet apart, demanding precise coordination and planning throughout.
2. Energy Dissipation Valve Chamber
Crews are constructing a cast-in-place reinforced concrete valve chamber to house three 24-inch axial flow control valves. This underground structure reduces system pressure from nearly 200 PSI to atmospheric pressure before entering a 300,000-gallon storage tank half-contained within the facility.
The chamber supports flow rates of up to 63 million gallons per day (MGD) to the treatment plant. The work scope includes electrical, mechanical and instrumentation systems that connect the 24-inch control valves to the main line.
Unique Project Challenges and Solutions
The combination of elevation shifts, confined space access and slope gradients create a complex work environment. Northern Construction’s crews plan and execute each phase with a focus on safety and precision, especially during internal pipeline repairs. Careful sequencing, specialized equipment and proactive coordination with the client help keep the project on track despite the demanding conditions.Maintaining Facility Operations
WORKING TOGETHER WITH ENGINEERS
We partner closely with engineers to bring their designs to life. We’re pre-qualified with multiple agencies to create an efficient proposal process.
When you work with Northern Construction, you can trust that we pay close attention to every detailed specification and requirement. Sit back and relax as your design transfers from dream into reality.
SAFETY FIRST
We prioritize safety guidelines in our project planning because we care about our clients, construction workers, and communities. Click the link below to see how we consistently exceed safety standards.